Addiction

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

One month later...

I reluctantly step out of the car and hand my keys to the valet.

It is my Mom and Stepdad’s wedding anniversary and it is mandatory that I show up.

I tried hard to think of an excuse not to come but my Mom wasn’t going to hear it, so here I am.

I just know I am going to run into Garrett and I really don’t want to see him after what happened at the club. I walk up the steps to the mansion and, as always, the place is immaculately decorated.

There are black and white balloons everywhere along with streamers and a big banner that says ‘Happy Anniversary’. There are tables in the middle of the room with beautiful flower arrangements on them and servers dressed in bow ties and black and white servers’ outfits. They are walking around, carrying platters with food and champagne on them. The place is already crowded so I know that if Garrett did show up, I could easily avoid him.

Or so I hope.

I see my Mom and Stepdad at the long table in the front and go up to greet them. My Mom is wearing a beautiful red dress with gold trimming and a deep plunging neckline. My Stepdad, George, is in a tailored tuxedo as usual and he actually looks handsome. He has actual smile lines and I can tell that being with my Mom has softened him up a little because, in the beginning, he seemed a little hard and off putting. I wasn’t very fond of him but finally, he is starting to grow on me.

“Hi Mom. Hi George,” I say as I hug each one of them.

“Marie! So glad that you decided to come,” says my Mom.

I roll my eyes because she knew she didn’t give me much of a choice.

“Well, you know I wouldn’t miss it for anything in the world, Mom. This is an important day for you,” I sigh.

“Hello Marie, how have you been?” asks George as he sips from his champagne glass.

“I’ve been okay,” I reply.

“Please have a seat beside me,” my Mom says as she motions to the chair beside her.

I take the seat next to her and motion for one of the servers to bring me a wine glass.

I hate that my Mom and Stepdad flaunt their money like this when they can easily put it to good us. I gulp down my drink, place it on the table, and look out into the crowd.

I can’t see him and that’s good.

And then...

Damn.

There he is.

I notice Garrett walking toward the table and immediately my stomach drops to the floor.

I knew he was going to be here but I really didn’t expect to see him this soon in the party. I was hoping to be a few glasses of wine in but it looks like he finally decided to show up on time for something, which really ruined my plans.

“Uh, Mom, I’ll be right back. I have to go handle something really quick,” I say as I stand to walk away.

“Okay, sweetheart, just hurry back, they are about to start serving the meal pretty soon and you don’t want to miss out. I had them make one of your favorites,” she says as she takes another sip from her glass.

I nod my head and walk toward a quiet corner to get some air.

Seeing Garrett right there in front of my face after our last encounter was really bothering me.

I want to slap him. What a pig. If he dares tell anyone about our encounter, I won’t slap him.

I’ll punch him.

And I’ll ruin that perfect nose of his.

I feel some eyes on me and I turn around to see Garrett standing behind me, looking as handsome as ever, but all I can think to do is slap him clear across his face.

This guy has a lot of nerve.

“Hi,” he says arrogantly as he takes a sip from his wine glass.

“Don’t ‘hi’ me. You have a lot of nerve, you know that. You come over here to me like there is nothing wrong!” I muffle my anger so that we don’t draw attention.

A confused expression crosses his face then it’s quickly replaced with anger.

“What’s your problem? I didn’t do anything wrong to you.”

“Don’t act like you don’t know what my problem is, Garrett.”

“I have no idea what the hell you’re talking about. I thought that we ended on pretty good terms the last time we saw each other.”

Oh no.

Maybe he doesn’t remember?

Then I will look like a fool.

He leans close to my ear. “Well, I had a good time, didn’t you? I know you did from the way your body responded to me. You were so wet. I can remember it like it was yesterday.”

Damn.

He does remember.

I look at him as if he had slapped me.

“No, I didn’t have a good time! You treated me like a piece of meat. You made me feel used and worthless.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I don’t recall doing anything that would make you feel that way.”

“Exactly, because you’re an arrogant, spoiled, insensitive jerk who thinks the world owes him something.”

“I don’t think that the world owes me anything. I am the world. You know how many would want to be me? Want my life? I’m golden.”

I look at him and shake my head. The more he talks, the less attractive he seems. “Like I said, you’re just another jerk.”

“Maybe, but last time I checked, this jerk made you feel really good, didn’t he? You weren’t complaining when I was hitting your spot or sucking on your soft nipples.”

I open my mouth to say something but then I quickly shut it back.

“What’s the matter, Marie? Cat got your tongue?”

“No, more like I’m trying to not lose control here at our parents’ party. I’m holding onto what little self-control I do have because if I don’t, you will be getting slapped and everyone will be looking over at us.”

Turning away from him, I walk into the house and close the lounge room door behind me.

Finally, a place where I get some quiet.

But then the door opens.

Garrett sways into the room and shuts the door behind him. Before I know it, he is standing next to me.

With my arms folded across my chest, I can feel my heart pounding.

Garrett stares at me and then pulls me close to him.

“Don’t do this, Garrett,” I whisper as I look up to him. “Not here.”

He leans forward and his lips land on mine, kissing me passionately. I can feel my anger melting away. I pull away from him and stare in his eyes. There’s a hint of humor in them and I want to punch him in his jaw. I look to see if anyone saw us in the room and then I look back at him.

“What are you doing? You can’t be kissing me at our parents’ party. People will talk.”

He shrugged his shoulders. “I’m just getting what I want.”

“Just like a prick. Stay away from me, Garrett, and I mean it.”

“What if I don’t want to?”

I look at him and roll my eyes. “Like I said, just stay away from me. I’m not a prize to be won and I don’t like my emotions being messed with. We will never be more than what we already are to one another.”

I turn to start to walk away from him but he reaches out and grabs my arm.

“Don’t try to act like I don’t mean anything to you, Marie, and that that kiss didn’t rock your world just now.”

“You do mean something to me. You’re my stepbrother, that’s it! I have to respect you because of our parents but I don’t have to like you and I’m pretty sure that I won’t. I don’t even like your type. So even if I was even remotely interested in you, I wouldn’t allow it to happen because all of you rich guys are the same.”

He looks at me and raises his eyebrows. “Is that how you really feel?”

“Yes, it is, now leave me alone.”

“Are you sure you want me to do that?”

“Yes, I am.”

He looks at me and lets my arm go.

I look at him one final time, then I storm off toward the kitchen.

I need to be alone.

I peek my head inside, seeing that no one is in there and I walk to the back corner and sit in one of the chairs.

Placing my head in my hands, I think about my encounter with Garrett.

I am supposed to be mad at him.

Angry at him for making him make me feel cheap but the kiss made all of my feelings melt away.

Someone clears their throat, and I look up to explain why I’m in the kitchen but see no one other than Garrett standing there, holding a champagne glass.

“I don’t think I can leave you alone.”

*